CH650315A5 - ASSEMBLY MEMBER AND ASSEMBLY DEVICE COMPRISING AT LEAST TWO ASSEMBLY ORGANS. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention generally relates to assembly members which can be joined together by constituting assembly devices capable of connecting elongated elements, such as tubes or bars, to erect easily assembled structures. and removable. Structures of this kind can be used permanently and can then constitute shelves, bookcases or other supports. However, a particularly interesting use of these structures consists in the production of removable supports, for example sales displays usable in shops, exhibitions or in any application where a permanent structure is not desirable.

The object of the present invention is to produce an assembly clamp of an improved type which can be used in a particularly practical manner as a component of an assembly device in a structure of the type mentioned above.

To this end, the subject of the present invention is an assembly member intended for the production of dismountable assembly devices, capable of joining elongated elements in support structures, this member consisting of a rigid part and characterized in that said part has, on the one hand, at least a first part provided with a housing oriented relative to the part in a longitudinal direction and, on the other hand, a second part comprising a dihedron whose edge is oriented transversely to said longitudinal direction, each housing being internally limited by internal faces of longitudinal walls and by a stop face oriented transversely, and said dihedron being limited by at least one transverse element, one face of which forms a face of said dihedron, while that another face forms said abutment face of a housing, said part having, in addition, at least one external face which limits said transverse element, in which opens the housing of a first part which is provided with a fixing means.

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Preferably, the fixing means are located in the external surface into which the housing of a first part opens.

The fixing means may have the form of an opening passing through the member and making it possible to join two joining members by means of a screw or a bolt. As a variant, the fixing means may comprise a rod or a housing formed on the assembly member and capable of engaging with notches or friction on a rod or on a housing complementary to a second assembly clamp.

The first and second parts defined above can be shaped so as to engage on a first and on a second elongated element arranged at right angles to each other.

In a practical use of the invention, there will be four different types of assembly members. A first type A comprises a pair of first parts aligned and directed in opposite directions to each other. Each of these parts constitutes half of a stop and the parts are separated from each other by a gap which constitutes half of the transverse passage.

According to a second form (member B), the assembly member is of the angular type and comprises two branches directed at right angles to one another. Each branch comprises an end part (as in member A) which constitutes a first part, while the apex formed by the union of the two branches is cut in a bevel to form a second part which defines a quadrant of the transverse passage. This transverse passage is oriented at right angles to the two branches.

According to a third form of the assembly member C, there is a first and a second part and the second part is provided with a rising side wall while defining a dihedral.

The fourth form of assembly member D is similar to member C, except that the end wall of the channel is removed and that the base of this channel ends in a chamfer. Thus, the member D comprises a single first part and a single second part and the second part defines a single dihedral. It has the shape of a plate which extends, moving away from the first part, on one of its sides, its free end edge being bevelled so as to form half of a joint.

The first and second parts of each assembly member may have in cross-section a general U-shape with planar outer walls comprising a flat base wall and also flat side walls which extend perpendicular to the base. Preferably, in an assembled device, the stop and the housing will be square in section and the height of the side walls will be less than half the width of the base wall measured between the internal faces of the side walls. This allows two assembly members to embrace the end of an elongated element of square section and to pinch it between them.

In one embodiment, a depression can be associated with an orifice passing through the external wall and through which the rod of an additional member can pass. Usually the depression will surround the orifice. The outer end of the orifice, namely where it crosses the outer face of a fixing member, can be closed by a driven stopper which retains the appearance of the fixing member when n 'use no fastener.

The depression can also be formed in a portion of the edge of an outer wall which, in use, faces a corresponding edge of another member and is spaced therefrom in the assembly position. The rod of a fastener can then extend externally by crossing the void between the two clamp members. The depressions are preferably formed in the edges of the corresponding external walls of the clamps, in such a way that the head of the fastener can cooperate with the two depressions of the clamps, the rod advancing through the empty space between the members.

Preferably, the depression is not circular or it is offset so that, with an appropriately shaped attachment head, the attachment cannot rotate when it is in place. The depression is advantageously rectangular in plan and in cross section.

At least one of the external faces of the assembly members may have two- or three-dimensional decorations.

Another object of the invention is a device as defined by claim 15.

The invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the appended drawing, in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly member according to the invention, in a first embodiment;

fig. 2 to 4 are similar views for a second, a third and a fourth assembly member in accordance with the invention;

fig. 5 to 9 are exploded perspective views of assembly devices each composed of several assembly members as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4;

fig. 10 is a perspective view of the assembly member C of FIG. 3, but modified;

fig. 11 is a cross section along the line XI-XI of FIG. 10;

fig. 12 is a perspective view of a fastener intended to be used in the assembly device of FIG. 10;

fig. 13 is a cross section, similar to that of FIG. 11, through an assembly device for cylindrical elements, and FIGS. 14 to 18 show examples of assembly devices with decorative patterns.

Four embodiments of the clamp according to the invention will be described below, which can be used together so as to form five assembly devices.

In a first embodiment, the member A produced in accordance with the invention (FIG. 1) is an aluminum alloy body, cast in a shell, in one piece. The member A has, at one end, a first part 10, defining a portion 11 of a socket of square section (see the description relating thereto below). The part 10a, in cross section, has a U-shaped section. In the position shown, it has a horizontal base 12 and vertical walls 13 whose height is somewhat less than half the width of the base 12. The walls side ends in a transverse block 14, which is crossed by an orifice 15 for forming a clamp with two similar members. At the other end is a part 16 identical to part 10 but symmetrical back to back. A second housing 17 is also provided. The member A, comprising a second central part, consists of a transverse channel 19 which can form a half-portion of a recess of rectangular section disposed at right angles to the end sleeves in the clamp formed by two members A. The height of the side walls 20 of the channel 19 is somewhat less than half the width of the base 21. The base 12 of each part 10, 16 has a depression or recess 22, of shallow depth, rectangular, surrounding an orifice 23. This makes it possible to mount a screw so that it is trapped in a set of type A clamps and to use it to secure an auxiliary part to this clamp. The depth of the recess 22 corresponds to the thickness of the head 24a of the screw or the fastener 24. This also applies to the cut and removed portions 44 of FIG. 5 which will be described later in more detail.

In a second embodiment, a member B according to the invention (FIG. 2) is also a body made of aluminum alloy, cast in the shell of a part, this body comprising a pair of wings 25, arranged at right angle to each other. Each free end portion of a wing 25 is similar to the first part 10 of the assembly member A and each has a transverse block, provided with an orifice. At the junction of the wings 25, the member B comprises a right dihedral which forms a quarter 27 of a recess with a square section, defined by the walls 28 of the blocks 26, the walls 28 of which have a height somewhat less than the width. an elongated square section element with which it can be used.

In a third embodiment of the clamp described, the assembly member C (fig. 3) has a first part 29 similar to the

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part 10 of member A and a transverse block 30, provided with an orifice. On the other side of the block 30, there is a transverse channel 31, having a wall defined by one face of the block 30 and the other by a vertical end wall 32. The heights of the wall 32 and of the face of the block 30 are somewhat less than half the width of the base 33 of the channel 31.

In a fourth embodiment, the member D according to the invention (fig. 4) is, in all respects, similar to the member C, except that it has no end wall 32 and that a free edge of the base 34 of a transverse recess portion 35 is chamfered at 36 to allow forming part of a miter assembly.

The clamps or fasteners A, B, C, D according to the invention can be assembled in various combinations to form a series of assembly devices (fig. 5 to 9), each set suitable for use in a frame (not shown) comprising a series of elongated, square section hollow elements (also not shown), hereinafter referred to as tubes.

A first assembly device 37 according to the invention (fig. 5) is composed of two members A, arranged opposite one another. The members A together define a pair of sockets 42 of square section (aligned and oriented in opposite directions) and a recess 43 of square section and extending transversely. A pair of screws or bolts with nuts such as 110,119A (fig. 10) can be used to fix the two members A in an assembly position with the end portions of two tubes aligned [whose axes are indicated in 38 and 39 (fig. 5) and which are placed in the sockets 42], and also with a central part of a tube (the axis of which is indicated at 40, 41 and which rests in the recess 43), for form a junction with crossed axes. As a variant, the third tube mentioned can end in the recess 43 so as to form a T-junction, or two such tubes can end there and be introduced therein by only one side. When the recess 43 is unoccupied, the assembly 37 can serve as a straight connector.

Fig. 5 also shows how two adjacent external walls 13 of members A (side walls) can have cut and removed portions 44 which, together, can accommodate the head 45 of a fastening screw 46 similar to the screw 24. Such cut portions 44 as well as shallow recesses or depressions, with orifices 23 (fig. 1), can be provided inside each outer wall of each of the members A, B, C, D and be used for fasteners allowing attach auxiliary parts such as wall panels to a rack.

A second assembly device 47 according to the invention (FIG. 6) is composed of a fixing member A and two fixing members B. The assembly 47 can receive and assemble the terminal portions of aligned tubes, the axes are indicated in 48, 49, a terminal portion of a tube whose axis is indicated in 50 and a central portion of a tube whose axis is indicated in 51-51. As the illustration shows, this forms a horizontal junction with crossed axes with a pillar below. As a variant, if a tube whose axis is positioned at 51-51 ends in the device 47, a T-junction is formed, with a single horizontal arm.

A third device 54, in accordance with the invention (FIG. 7), is composed of two fixing members C which, together, define a socket 52 and a recess 53. This assembly 54 can be used to form a connection at right angles between two tubes, one whose axis coincides with line 55 and whose end portion is engaged in the sleeve 52, and the other whose axis coincides with line 56 and whose end portion is engaged in the recess 53. As a variant, a T-junction can be formed between the tube whose axis coincides with the line 55 and a tube whose axis coincides with the line 56.

A fourth assembly device 57 (fig. 8) is composed of a member B and two members D which, together, define two sockets 58, 59 and a transverse recess 60. This assembly 57 can be used to form a seal angle between tubes whose axes coincide with the lines 61, 62, at one end of a tube whose axis coincides with the line 63 and whose end portion is placed in the recess 60. Alternatively, the The above-mentioned corner joint can be mounted between the ends of a tube whose axis coincides with line 63.

A fifth device 64, in accordance with the invention (FIG. 9), consists of four fixing members B which, together, define four sockets 65 and a transverse recess 65. This assembly 64 can be used to form a junction of the type with crossed axes (four tubes whose axes coincide with lines 65, 66, 67, 68) in combination with an end or an intermediate portion of a tube whose axis coincides with line 69.

It should be noted that, by using the various devices described in combination with various tubes, it is possible to construct a large variety of shapes and configurations of removable frames.

The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing description. It covers all variant embodiments. For example, the various devices described can be used in forms having provisions other than those which are shown. If the assembly clamps are sized appropriately, they can also be used with elongated elements which are oblong in cross section and / or which are full rather than hollow. The fixing means do not necessarily need to include the holes and screws or bolts described. Each fixing member could, for example, have a stud or other protuberance or a recess or hollow for receiving such a stud, capable of cooperating with a complementary recess for receiving a protrusion or with a complementary protrusion of an organ of attachment, to make a snap-on or friction connection, sufficient to obtain good attachment. Another possibility is to use fixing means or external fastening collars. The device of the invention may comprise a number of fixing members other than 4, that is to say 2, 3 or more than 4 fixing members; in each such device, the fixing members can be combined to form a number of devices greater than that of the number of clamps.

In version C 'in accordance with figs. 10 to 12, a circular depression 22 ′ is provided in the middle of the base 12 and, in the middle of this depression, a through bore 23 is provided. The clip 124 has, in this case, a circular head 125, conforming to fig. 12. It is then obvious that the rod can have a circular shape in cross section and that it can be provided with a threaded screw. However, it will easily be understood that also the depressions 44 (fig. 5), adjacent to the edge of the wall, can have a shape which, at the periphery, is circular and that it can then be advantageous to give the rod 126 a rectangular shape in cross section, as shown in fig. 12, this because, in this way and the fact that by their respective shapes the rod and the edges of the walls engage, the fastener 124 is locked and can no longer rotate.

So far, only assembly devices for rectangular tubes have been shown. However, the invention can also be applied by using tubes of another profile, for example tubes of hexagonal section, or even cylindrical tubes, that is to say tubes of circular cross section. Fig. 13 shows a cross section through an assembly member AA, with fixing means for cylindrical tubes.

This cross section corresponds to the cross section of FIG. 11. The fastener 140 is shown with its rod 142, partially engaged in the orifice 23. The upper face 141 'of the head 141 has a cylindrical curvature identical to that of the inner face of the fixing member. Consequently, the fastener 140 is prevented from rotating around the axis of the rod 142 and locked by the cooperation of the shapes engaged in one another of said face 141 'and of the cylindrical tube mounted in the assembly of fixation. It should be noted that, even in a cylindrical type fixing member such as AA, depressions 44 (fig. 5) can be provided adjacent to the edge of the wall and that the locking necessary to prevent rotation can be achieved by giving, for example to the cross section of the rod 142, a rectangular shape, as shown in FIG. 12. You can generally say that a fastener can be locked5

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tied in such a way as to prevent rotation about the axis of its stem if cooperating shapes are given which engage one another,

on the one hand, to its rod or to its head and, on the other hand, to an adjacent part, such as the fixing member itself or a tube mounted therein. This locking to be carried out to prevent rotation can, however, also be completely overlooked, in particular when choosing other means of connection than screw threads for mounting auxiliary parts.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, nothing can be seen from the arrangement used to mount the fixing piece outside the fixing assembly as long as, in one or other of the recesses 44, there is no inserted attachment, this because it is not necessary to provide a special hole through which the rod portion can pass.

If desired, the outer end of each opening 23 can be

be closed by a driven plug, connected to the body of the fixing member by a frangible ring, this in such a way that the smooth outer surface of the fixing member is not damaged if no fastening is required. Many other variants are possible, while remaining within the scope of the invention.

As an example, we can see in fig. 14 to 17 that the assembly devices are produced by means of type C members, in accordance with FIGS. 3 or 10, and decorated on two of their outer faces 100. The decorations can also be two-dimensional and appear, for example, in the form of engravings, etc. Fig. 18 shows a fixing assembly decorated on four or five of the six outer faces 100 (depending on whether the rear face, not visible in the drawing, is decorated or not). It is easily understood that fasteners of a type other than those of type C can be decorated in a similar manner.

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Claims (21)

650 315 1. Assembly member (A; B; C; D) intended for the production of dismountable assembly devices, capable of joining elongated elements in support structures, this member consisting of a rigid part and characterized in that said part has, on the one hand, at least a first part (10; 16; 25; 29), provided with a housing oriented relative to the part in a longitudinal direction and, on the other hand, a second part comprising a dihedral, the edge of which is oriented transversely with respect to said longitudinal direction, each housing being bounded internally by internal faces of longitudinal walls (12, 13) and by an abutment face oriented transversely, and said dihedron being limited by at least one transverse element (14), one face (20) of which forms one face of said dihedral, while another face (20 ') forms said abutment face of a housing, said part also having at least one external face (20 ") which limits said tra element nsversal, in which the housing of the first part opens and which is provided with a fixing means (15). 2. Body according to claim I, characterized in that said fixing means (15) is a hole passing right through the part, in said transverse element. 2 3. Body (A) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a pair of first parts (10, 16) aligned and oriented in opposite directions, each limited by a transverse element (14) , the two transverse elements constituting two parallel dihedrons and which delimit between them a through passage (19). 4. Organ (B) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it constitutes an angular organ which comprises two wings (25) at right angles to each other, each of these wings (25 ) having an end which constitutes a first part, while the apex of the dihedral angle formed by the wings is notched in order to constitute the second part. 5. Body (C) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a second transverse element (32) constituting a second dihedral delimiting a transverse passage (31). 6. Body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first parts have a U-section shape with planar outer walls, a base wall (12) flat and side walls (13) also flat which s 'extend at right angles to the base, so as to guide elongated elements of the same section by preventing them from rotating. 7. Body according to claim 6, characterized in that the lateral face (20) of the transverse element (14) which limits the dihedral is planar and in that a planar surface (21; 28; 33; 34) s 'extends projecting at a right angle from the bottom edge of said lateral face (20), so as to define with the latter the dihedron. 8. Body (A) according to claims 3 and 7, characterized in that said transverse elements limit said planar projecting surface (21), which extends between said transverse elements (14) so as to produce a through passage (19 , 31) with a rectangular section comprising two dihedral angles. 9. Body (D) according to claim 7, comprising a single first part and a single second part defining a dihedral (35), characterized in that the projecting planar surface (34) has its free edge (36) inclined at a bevel. 10. Organ (A; B; C; D) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the housing and the dihedral are arranged so that the height of two longitudinal walls (13) parallel and opening into said external face (20 ") is less than half the width of another longitudinal wall (12) forming the base of the housing. 11. Organ (A; B; C; D) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal face of at least one of said walls (12, 13, 21, 32, 44) has a depression (22 , 22 ') associated with an opening (23) through which a rod can pass outside the room. 12. Body according to claim 11, characterized in that the opening (23) passes through a central part of a longitudinal wall (12) and in that said depression (22, 22 ') surrounds the opening of all the sides. 13. Body according to claim 11, characterized in that the depression (44) is formed in a region of the edge of a longitudinal wall (13) which opens into said external face (20 "). 14. Body according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the depression (22, 44) is of non-circular shape and located in an offset position relative to the opening, so as to block a head (24a) a connecting means (24) against any rotation. 15. Device for assembling two elongated elements in a support structure comprising at least two members according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the first parts (10, 16, 29) and the transverse elements (14 ) have the same dimensions and in that the members are fixed so as to subject one another to said elongated elements. 16. An assembly device according to claim 15, characterized in that the members (A; B; C; D) are fixed to each other by one or more screws or bolts (119). 17. An assembly device according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises two members according to claim 6 (fig. 5). 18. An assembly device according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a member according to claim 8 and two members according to claim 4 (fig. 6). 19. An assembly device according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises two members according to claim 15 (fig. 7). 20. An assembly device according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a member according to claim 4 and two members according to claim 9 (fig. 8). 21. An assembly device according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises four members according to claim 4 (fig. 9).